Certain provisions shall be complied with before tests are performed. Qualified personnel shall be used to determine the time and procedure of the test.

5.1.6.1 TEST SETUP

In setting up a test at a firing site, all preparatory work shall be completed before explosives are received. Such work shall include the following items:

1. Checking all firing site safety devices at regular intervals. Such safety devices include warning lights, door and gate firing circuit interlocks, emergency firing circuit cutoff switches, and grounding devices (including those that are remote from the firing bunker).

2.         Completing all firing pad and shot stand setup work that requires power tools or other potential spark-producing devices. The firing pad shall be cleared of all unnecessary gear. Special precautions and procedures shall be developed and implemented if power tools or other spark­producing devices are needed after the explosive has been received at the firing pad.

3.         If a special structure is required, as much work as possible shall be accomplished on it, including assembly of all materials.

4.         When possible, all diagnostic equipment shall be set up and checked, and dry runs shall be performed.

5.1.6.2 PIN SWITCHES AND OTHER NONINITIATING CIRCUITS

Wheneverpin switches and other noninitiating circuits are to be checked (such as for charging current or leakage) and are in contact with or close to explosives, the check shall be performed remotely. Other noninitiating electrical circuits include strain gauges, pressure transducers, and thermocouples, which may be affixed to or close to the explosives within an assembly. If a continuity-only (resistance) check is desired, this may be accomplished as a contact operation with an electrical instrument approved for use with the particular explosive device. When low-firing current actuators are involved, it may be advisable to conduct these tests remotely.

5.1.6.3 LIGHTNING STORMS

All operations in open test-firing areas shall be discontinued during lightning storms when explosives are present. Completion of a test after receipt of a lightning alert should be allowed only if testpreparation has progressed to the extent that discontinuance of testing would represent a greater personnel risk than would completion of testing.

5.1.6.4 LOW-ENERGY ELECTROEXPLOSIVE DEVICES

When using hot-wire or low-energy EEDs for a test firing, the following requirements shall be applied:

1.         Establishment of procedures to ensure that RF, FM, and TV transmitters having sufficient output energy to initiate an EED at the test site are either restricted to a safe distance from the site or not operated. Tables 5-2, 5-3, and 5-4 specify minimum safe distances for the various types of transmitters at several output power levels.

2.         Blasting caps and other low-firing current igniters or detonators shall be kept separate from explosives at all times, except during actual test charge assembly and setup.

Table 5-2. Minimum safe distances between radio frequency (RF) transmitters and electric blasting operations.^,

Minimum safe distances (ft)

Table 5-3. Minimum safe distances between TV and FM broadcasting transmitters and electric blasting operations.^,

Table 5-4. Minimum safe distances between mobile RF transmitters and electric blasting operations.^,

3.         The entire wiring system of the explosive charge and of any low-firing-current initiators shall be kept insulated at all times from every possible source of extraneous current. Shunts shall be left on all low-energy initiators or lead wires until actual connections are to be made. Connections shall be taped or otherwise insulated.

4.

Test unit low-firing-current actuators or detonators shall be clearly marked. No contact operations involving electrical testing shall be permitted on this type of unit unless an electric meter for the specific application is used.

5.1.6.5 WARNING SIGNALS

Each DOE explosives testing facility shall use standard audible signals to warn personnel of any impending firing in a test area. Signals shall be established by each facility and approved by facility management.

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